Capt. suspended after misplaced gun recovered sans serial numbers

Later reports indicate that weapon had been defaced, 'possibly to be used in criminal activity' per chief

By Neal Simpson
The Patriot Ledger

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — Police Capt. John Rogers Jr. has acknowledged making “a major error” in misplacing his department-issued handgun in a courthouse bathroom. Plymouth Police Chief Michael E. Botieri said Tuesday that Rogers would be suspended for 20 days without pay and required to work 10 days of unpaid extra duty because of the lost weapon.

The chief said he made details of the disciplinary action public to make it clear that the department recognized the serious nature of the incident. “In this case, because of his high rank in the command staff as well as the public interest, I think it’s fair to release it so people know what we’ve done, that we’ve taken it seriously,” he said.

Rogers’ weapon, a department-issued Smith and Wesson .357, could not be found Monday, Jan. 28, after he left it in a bathroom at Wareham District Court. It was recovered two days later after an investigation involving several agencies.